ELECTION 2014: Port Alberni relaxes sign bylaw

For the first time, municipal election candidates have permission to place campaign signs on city boulevards in Port Alberni.

According to Section 3.9 of the city’s sign bylaw, “no signs shall be erected or placed on city owned property and no signs shall be tacked, posted or otherwise affixed to the walls of any structure, tree, pole, hydrant, bridge, fence or any other surface within a public place, except with written permission of the city.”

However, for the Nov. 15 election, the city has made an exception for signs on city boulevards “as long as the signs do not create a safety concern” for either vehicle or pedestrian traffic, according to a press release.

Candidates should keep in mind that Johnston Road is under provincial jurisdiction and their policy states that any election signs must not simulate traffic signs, must not be closer to the road than traffic signs and may not cause a traffic hazard.

For more information, candidates may call chief electoral officer Davina Hartwell at 250-720-2810 or e-mail davine_hartwell@portalberni.ca.